APPLE’S INEXPLICABLE APPEAL Why we continue to buy Apple devices instead of Android Isadora Blatt
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hat are you reading this article on right now? For many, it is likely the Mac or iPad that Bishop’s requires its students to purchase. For others, it could be your iPhone. A much smaller percentage is reading this on an Android smartphone such as a Samsung. Have you ever wondered why Apple is so popular in the first place? The new features that come with Apple’s software updates always create a buzz of excitement. The latest update (iOS 14) introduced many exciting new elements, especially for iPhones. One example is the app library, which organizes all your apps on the last slide of the home screen, including ones you have removed from view on the main pages. There are also some nifty new features on iMessage, like being able to pin conversations and respond directly to individual texts. The specific feature that teens have seemed to be most intrigued by is the widgets—little additions to your home screen that can tell you the weather, the date, or really anything you want. Many have gone crazy with iOS 14’s organization features, spending hours perfecting their aesthetic new home screens. However, Android users scoff at the obsession with Apple’s new widgets—they’ve been around since the very first Android phone was created way back in 2008. This is not the only example of Apple implementing technological advancements long after they were first created by another company. In fact, Apple is often way behind their competition. For example, Apple has recently introduced wireless charging, water resistance, and camera improvements that Android has already had for years. So if this is
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the case, why is Apple so popular? Chloe Shiue (‘24) expressed that she prefers Apple because of its simplicity to use. “I like the display of it, it’s smoother, and its features are really easy to use.” Although many Apple users think that Apple devices are easier to navigate, it is true that people could easily say the same thing about Android. Ripples Turquand (‘24) agreed with Chloe and added that she’s only ever used Apple before. One of the biggest advantages of using
“The iPhone is basically the social norm.” Marcus Buu-Hoan (‘24)
Apple is that their devices sync together. However, they do not sync with other devices, so once you start using Apple, you are more likely to buy other Apple devices rather than Android. “It’s sort of a comfort feeling,” agrees computer science teacher Ms. Sara White. “That’s why I will keep buying Apple, because it fits in with what I have already.” Marcus Buu-Hoan (‘24) followed a different reasoning. “The iPhone is basically the social norm,” he said. “I use it to make communication with my family and friends easier.”
Many people, especially in the younger generation, would agree with Marcus’s claim. It is worth noting that Apple and Android are split nearly 50/50 in the United States (although the category of Android does encompass many brands, like Samsung, Huawei, and Lenovo). However, a survey by Piper Sandler, an investment bank and institutional securities firm, found that 82% of American teens prefer Apple. Ms. White believes that Apple does a better job of appealing to the younger generation. Take the new widgets for example. “That’s something useful, but also kind of cool and fun,” she said. Since Apple is so popular, Android users can stand out from the crowd. And it is easy to tell, because of the green text messages that show up when an Apple user messages an Android. If there is one Android number in a group chat, all the texts become green, and everyone loses the ability to rename or leave the chat. “It’s a bit annoying to text with people who use Android,” Marcus says. “It’s just much harder, since I can only see their texts on my phone and it makes group chats glitch out.” But there are many benefits to using an Android that are overlooked by the Apple community. Emily Zhu (‘23), for example, has multiple reasons to justify using a Samsung phone. First of all, it can be a more cost-effective option. It is difficult to directly compare Samsung’s prices to Apple’s, because of the many steps that go into a purchase, like trade-ins and monthly payments. But since there is a large array of Android smartphones compared to Apple’s narrow selection, it can be easier to find less expensive devices from Android.
